More volunteers needed for Northerams Wood project

Great Hollands residents got the chance to find out more about the restoration of Northerams Wood at a recent open evening.

Bracknell Forest Council and Bracknell Town Council held the event at the woodland site last Monday evening to explain more about the Get Next to Nature project.

In February the town council received a £7,500 grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Wildlife Programme to restore Northerams Wood.

The cash will be used to revive the neglected areas of the site, including a small wildflower meadow, pond and hazel coppice.

Both councils aim to recruit volunteers to carry out wildlife surveys and coppicing, create new paths and erect an information board. Guided walks and other events are also planned to involve local residents.

Mary Harris, clerk of Bracknell Town Council who attended the event, said: “It is really important local people are interested and enthusiastic about the woodland and it was nice to see so many people attend.

“Although some people have lived in the area for some time they didn’t know the wood is there, and others visit it regularly.”

Mary added: “I think the project is important because then the community have ownership of it for the future and are more likely to look after it, nurture it and help restore it.”

Marlies Boydell, biodiversity officer at Bracknell Forest Council, added: “This project will restore an ancient piece of woodland in the Great Hollands area – and to help shape and drive it forward we need as many local people as possible to help out and give us their views.”